Culture
Viruses can be detected in specimen from patients suspected of SARS-CoVs
by inoculation of cell cultures and growing the virus, which must be
identified through either molecular or serologic techniques (WHO, 2003).
Positive cultures indicate the presence of virus whereas negative result
do not mean the virus is not present unless RT-PCR shows negative result
(WHO, 2003). However, viral culture for COVID-19 is not recommended as a
routine procedure for diagnosis (WHO, 2020), this is because it is time
consuming, needs expertise and expensive, however rapid diagnostic
methods are needed which are cheaper, do not require much expertise and
can give results at the shortest possible time,.